Customer Reviews

Keeping Secrets & Telling Lies

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I heard there would be a sequel to Trice Hickman's debut novel, Unexpected Interruptions, I knew I wanted to read it right away. I really liked the characters a lot, even the ones I was shaking my head at and wanting to slap the taste from their mouths if they were real. I could not wait to get my hands on Keeping Secrets & Telling Lies. I read a few pages one day, but then the next day I sat in one spot devouring the rest. The reason why I had to do that was because the suspense was killing me. I needed to know what was going to happen to everyone who was keeping a secret or telling a lie. Being who I am, I wanted to know how many people would be affected, and would they recover from it all.

Victoria and Ted were going through the motions of getting their daughter, Alexandria, signed up for a prestigious club and school. But, in the midst of their everyday hectic, but manageable schedule, two things that will change the dynamics of their lives take place. First, Ted's mother is gravely ill and has a confession to make; and Victoria's ex-lover, Parker, resurfaces. It is at this time all the excitement in the book begins for me. What is this major secret that Ted's mother, Carolyn, feels so strongly that she needs to reveal it to him only? How will he deal with it? And how will it affect his family? While Ted is handling his mother's affairs, Parker is on the prowl. He is trying his best to get Victoria to listen to him and his reasons as to why they need to get back together. Will Victoria succumb to his advances or will she send him crawling back to the hole from which he came?

The story was fun to read. The characters were well-developed and realistic. If Ms. Hickman had left out any of the natural reactions a person may have in real life dealing with these secrets it would not have been as good. However, halfway through the book I knew the secret that Ted's mother kept for her entire life. I read the story quickly to find out how close I was to the truth, and I was spot on. That being said, Keeping Secrets & Telling Lies makes for a very entertaining read. I do not believe you need to read the first book in order to appreciate this book, because Ms. Hickman did a wonderful job incorporating the back story. I recommend Keeping Secrets & Telling Lies to the reader looking for something emotional and a little suspenseful to read.

Jennifer Coissiere
APOOO BookClub

Trice!
I have one word for "Keeping Secrets & Telling Lies." WOW! You don't write like a new author. I loved it. Although I'm not an avid reader, I couldn't put this book down. As I was reading, I could envision each character. I could see how they looked, dressed, talked and much more. This should be a suspense novel. The suspense was killing me.

I almost thought I was at the theater watching each character. This is definately movie material. Keep up the great job. You truly have a gift. I can't wait to read your third book.

I am sorry to say boy was I disappointed. This story line has been beaten like a dead horse. After Trice's first book. I had high hopes for the sequel it was a sleeper. I paid $10.00 for nothing. I do not recommend this book unless you want to be put to bed.

KEEPING SECRETS, TELLING LIES, the sequel to Unexpected Interruptions, picks up six years after the previous book. Victoria and Ted are happily married with a daughter, Alexandria. Alexandria is your average precocious, inquisitive 5-year old. Although they are an interracial couple, outside of the occasional stares in public, issues of racism did not affect them much. This changes when they begin to make decisions concerning Alexandria who often asks the tough questions concerning her mixed heritage.

As they prepare for Alexandria's first year of school, Ted discovers his mother is ill and at the point of death. This pulls him away from his family, leaving Victoria with the responsibilities of getting their daughter registered in her new school and settled into her social organization, which caters exclusively to African-American children. Ted had reservations about Alexandria joining but he reluctantly agreed. Much to Victoria's dismay, her ex-lover and Ted's rival, Parker Brightwood's son attends the same school and is a part of the same social organization. Victoria and Parker discover their feelings for each other are very much alive. How will Victoria be able to ignore her feelings for Parker while Ted is away uncovering secrets that have great impacts to his life and the lives of his family?

I was anxiously awaiting KEEPING SECRETS, TELLING LIES since I enjoyed Unexpected Interruptions so much. I was just a little disappointed because this book lacked the chemistry that was in the previous book. Also, if you did not read the previous book, there was a lot that you missed concerning the love triangle between the three. Also, Victoria's character lacked the confidence she exuded before, she came off as nervous and flighty, therefore, I did not warm up to her and I didn't agree with the decisions she made. I figured out Ted's secret very early in the book, which took the suspense from that subplot.

Reviewed by Paula Henderson
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

I actually liked this book much better than I liked the first book, Unexpected Interruption. With that said, I am rearing to go.

Everyone had their secrets and I can honestly understand Ted wanting to keep his secret from Victoria, it's not like he's know the secret all his life, this was just thrust upon him so late in his life and after he lived his life a certain way to now find out that it's all been a lie because his parents did not have to courage to tell him the truth must have been devastating. Contrast to this is Victoria's secret, which was just too much for any person to bear or hear for that matter. She had a good life and great husband who loved and adored her, a man who put her on a pedestal and thinks she would do no wrong but she just could not resist temptation. I find Victoria to be a weak individual, she talk a good game but when push came to shove she caved. She can dish out advice but she cannot take good advice when it's given to her.

I hated the character of Parker with the hate of a thousand sun, I just find him to be a selfish person who only thinks about his own wants and needs and to hell with anyone one else. He was a downright pompous stakerrish jerk. He would not take no for an answer, everything was about his feelings and his ego and his wants and his needs. I wish a bus would run over him already. You have a son; go spend your time taking care of him and stop chasing another man's wife. Respect the fact that Victoria is a married woman with a child and a husband that she obviously love and just step off. Sorry but I felt nothing for him or his sob story.

I find the ending to be a little rushed but I enjoyed the book nonetheless, it shows you that no matter how happy you think you are, there is always something or someone out there that could shatter that happiness in a matter of minutes.

Please, go ahead and purchase this book, you will not be disappointed; it's a good read.

Received the sequel and I must say I was slightly disappointed. Ms. Hickman used the interracial cliche in dealing with the leads. By the middle of the book I knew what the secrets were. After reading many interracial novels it wasn't hard to figure out where the direction was going. That is why I'm not giving the novel 5 stars.
I do give Ms. Hickman credit in handling this cliche in a more inventive way than some other authors and for that she deserves 4 stars.
I read the first book and was able to follow the back stories and characters. I think if a reader has not read the 1st book they may have a problem following why things were happening. But this could also entice them to buy the first book.
Slight disappointment, but will recommend.

I love the first 2 books by this author , but this book did not have the same zest as the other books it was kinda dull and I kept wishing the book would just end, it was so drawn out.... I think if she would have added different characters to the story line and spiced it up a bit it could have been a decent book... I love her writing style and wish she would write another book but on a different story line.

This story picked up 6 yrs. later after Victoria chose Ted as her husband. I enjoyed this inter-racial couple and their ups and downs. Victoria made some very bad decisions that could have cost her her marriage. Ted keep some secrets that he should have shared with his wife, but it was very difficult for him to find out things about his mother after her death. It was understandable that he was thrown for a loop but his secret wasn't half as bad a Victoria's secret. It goes to show that if you tell a lie you have to continue to lie to cover up the situation. I really enjoyed this story and I highly recommend this book..

"Keeping Secrets Telling Lies" the sequel to "Unexpected Interruptions" is a page turner. Victoria and Ted are married with a daughter and life is good. Then Victoria runs into her ex- Parker and the secrets and lies begin.
Ted's mothers health is ailing and he becomes a part of a secret that was hidden for years and his handling of it leads to more secrets , more lies.

Once again the issues of color and race finds its way into the wonderful gray world that Victoria & Ted try to live.

I enjoyed reading how everything played out and even though I had an idea about Ted's secret it caused me not to put the book down in anticipation to see how their lives begun to unravel and then pray and wonder if their love was strong enough to carry them through.

Well done Trice Hickman!!!!!!

I loved Victorias character but I was completely disappointed in the decision she made. The secret was good but I figured it out before it was told. I also think the book could have ended better. But overall this was a pretty good book.